Ecstasy Exposure & Gender: Examining Components of Verbal Memory Functioning

Objective: Studies have demonstrated verbal memory deficits associated with past year ecstasy use, although specific underlying components of these deficits are less understood. Further, prior research suggests potential gender differences in ecstasy-induced serotonergic changes. Therefore, the current study investigated whether gender moderated the relationship between ecstasy exposure and components of verbal memory after controlling for polydrug use and confounding variables. Method Data were collected from 65 polydrug users with a wide range of ecstasy exposure (ages 18–35; 48 ecstasy and 17 marijuana users; 0–2310 ecstasy tablets). Participants completed a verbal learning and memory task, psychological questionnaires, and a drug use interview. Results: Increased past year ecstasy exposure predicted poorer short and long delayed free and cued recalls, retention, and recall discrimination. Male ecstasy users were more susceptible to dose-dependent deficits in retention than female users. Conclusion: Past year ecstasy consumption was associated with verbal memory retrieval, retention, and discrimination deficits in a dose-dependent manner in a sample of healthy young adult polydrug users. Male ecstasy users were at particular risk for deficits in retention following a long delay. Gender difference may be reflective of different patterns of polydrug use as well as increased hippocampal sensitivity. Future research examining neuronal correlates of verbal memory deficits in ecstasy users are needed

Simple Relationships between Components of Verbal Memory and Ecstasy Abstinence by Gender.

<p>Simple Relationships between Components of Verbal Memory and Ecstasy Abstinence by Gender.</p

Breakdown of Ethnic Identification, Education, Reading Ability, and Age of Ecstasy and MJ Users.

<p>Breakdown of Ethnic Identification, Education, Reading Ability, and Age of Ecstasy and MJ Users.</p

Bivariate Relationship between CVLT-2 Retention z-score and Past Year Ecstasy Use According to Gender.

<p>Bivariate Relationship between CVLT-2 Retention z-score and Past Year Ecstasy Use According to Gender.</p

Mean, Standard Deviation, and Range of Verbal Memory Variables According to Group and Gender.

<p>Mean, Standard Deviation, and Range of Verbal Memory Variables According to Group and Gender.</p

Simple Relationships between Components of Verbal Memory and Drug Usage Variables (Past Year).

<p>Simple Relationships between Components of Verbal Memory and Drug Usage Variables (Past Year).</p

Craving is associated with amygdala volumes in adolescent marijuana users during abstinence.

BackgroundAmygdala volume abnormalities have been reported in relation to craving in substance-dependent adults, but it remains unclear if these effects are seen in adolescent marijuana (MJ) users, particularly following abstinence.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between amygdala volume and craving during 28 days of abstinence in adolescent MJ users.MethodsMJ-using adolescents (n = 22) aged 16-19 were recruited as part of a larger study on brain function in teen drug users. Craving measures were collected twice per week throughout a 28-day abstinence period. High-resolution anatomical magnetic resonance imaging data were collected at the end of the 28 days of confirmed abstinence. Left and right amygdala volumes were traced by hand (ICC &gt; 0.86). Composite scores for self-reported craving and withdrawal symptoms throughout the 28-day abstinence period were calculated to provide four composite measures of total craving, mood, sleep, and somatic complaints.ResultsResults revealed that greater craving during abstinence was significantly associated with smaller left and right amygdala volumes, after controlling for age and gender. Other measures of withdrawal, including mood, somatic complaints and sleep problems, were not related to amygdala morphometry.ConclusionThese results are consistent with previous findings in adult alcohol- and cocaine-dependent individuals, who demonstrated a relationship between reduced amygdala volumes and increased craving. Future studies are needed to determine if these brain-behavior relationships are attributable to MJ use or predate the onset of substance use

Craving is associated with amygdala volumes in adolescent marijuana users during abstinence.

BackgroundAmygdala volume abnormalities have been reported in relation to craving in substance-dependent adults, but it remains unclear if these effects are seen in adolescent marijuana (MJ) users, particularly following abstinence.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between amygdala volume and craving during 28 days of abstinence in adolescent MJ users.MethodsMJ-using adolescents (n = 22) aged 16-19 were recruited as part of a larger study on brain function in teen drug users. Craving measures were collected twice per week throughout a 28-day abstinence period. High-resolution anatomical magnetic resonance imaging data were collected at the end of the 28 days of confirmed abstinence. Left and right amygdala volumes were traced by hand (ICC &gt; 0.86). Composite scores for self-reported craving and withdrawal symptoms throughout the 28-day abstinence period were calculated to provide four composite measures of total craving, mood, sleep, and somatic complaints.ResultsResults revealed that greater craving during abstinence was significantly associated with smaller left and right amygdala volumes, after controlling for age and gender. Other measures of withdrawal, including mood, somatic complaints and sleep problems, were not related to amygdala morphometry.ConclusionThese results are consistent with previous findings in adult alcohol- and cocaine-dependent individuals, who demonstrated a relationship between reduced amygdala volumes and increased craving. Future studies are needed to determine if these brain-behavior relationships are attributable to MJ use or predate the onset of substance use

Mentorship in clinical neuropsychology: Survey of current practices, cultural responsiveness, and untapped potential

INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychology trainees have identified mentorship as an important factor in their training. Limited past work has been conducted on mentorship within neuropsychology, and there is a need to better understand the experiences and perspectives of neuropsychology mentors. METHOD: Self-identified mentors in clinical neuropsychology completed a survey about their mentorship practices, including culturally responsive mentorship, as well as perceived barriers and challenges to providing effective mentorship. Themes were derived using qualitative analyses for free response questions, and descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative variables. RESULTS: Mentors identified assessment, professionalism, and ethics as top priorities in mentorship, which may reflect the overlap within neuropsychology of assessment supervision and mentoring. Reported best practices included being self-aware and engaging in a personalized approach to mentorship relationships that varies depending upon the needs of the mentee. A majority reported that their training program is not diverse and they themselves do not mentor trainees from diverse backgrounds which provides a clear area for targeted efforts to recruit and retain diversity in the discipline. Mentors described practices related to discussing diversity-related differences with their trainees including self-disclosure, creating a safe space for conversations, and tailoring discussions to the individual trainee. They reported an interest in more training on how to engage in culturally competent mentorship. Two barriers to providing effective mentorship identified most by mentors were time constraints and a lack of training. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight a variety of perspectives and approaches to mentorship, which may be beneficial for mentors to consider as they reflect on their mentorship practices and/or for trainees as part of their professional development toward becoming future mentors themselves. These results also highlight the need for a greater emphasis on mentorship training within neuropsychology, including training in culturally responsive mentorship practices